Cross-links for a track of a tracked vehicle

ABSTRACT

A cross-link for a track that comprises belts spaced apart to accommodate a plurality of wheels of a tracked vehicle on which the track is mounted, the belts having a ground-facing side. In one embodiment, the cross-link comprises an elongate member for mounting to the belts to interconnect the belts, the elongate member having a belt-engaging face contacting the belts on the ground-facing side when the elongate member is mounted to the belts. The elongate member defines a channel including a bottom portion and a pair of sidewalls opposite one another on either side of the bottom portion. The cross-link also comprises a sole mountable in the channel for engaging a ground surface on which the tracked vehicle travels, the sole comprising a pair of sidewall-engaging surfaces for engaging the sidewalls when the sole is mounted in the channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/980,166 filed by F. Paquet et al.on Oct. 15, 2007 and hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to tracks for tracked vehicles and, moreparticularly, to cross-links for such tracks.

BACKGROUND

Certain types of tracked vehicles, such as tractors and carriers used invarious industrial or military applications, are propelled by a pair oftracks each comprising belts that are interconnected by a series ofcross-links distributed longitudinally along the track.

Cross-links are typically made of metal, such as so-called “D-dent”cross-links and “flat track” cross-links which are forged into shape.These cross-links may be suitable when a tracked vehicle on which theyare provided is on soft terrain (e.g., earth, mud). However, due to thetracked vehicle's weight, they are often unsuitable and/or unacceptablefor use on hard surfaces (e.g., paved surfaces) as they tend to damagesuch hard surfaces.

Some flat track cross-links have been permanently embedded in a rubberenvelope to reduce their impact on hard surfaces. However, in view ofthe rubber envelope's permanent presence, these cross-links often proveinadequate in situations or applications where enhanced traction ofmetallic cross-links is desired or required, such as on very softterrain.

Other flat track cross-links have been provided with urethane shoesbolted thereon to reduce their impact on hard surfaces. However,urethane is relatively expensive, thus discouraging mass production ofsuch shoes. Furthermore, stones and other small hard objects typicallybecome easily trapped in bolt holes of the urethane shoes such thatsubsequent use of a tracked vehicle equipped with such cross-links on ahard surface can still inflict damage on that surface. Moreover,urethane has a relatively low friction coefficient which can lead topoor traction capability in some applications.

Accordingly, there is a need for improvements in cross-links for tracksof tracked vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first broad aspect, the invention provides a cross-linkfor a track that comprises belts spaced apart to accommodate a pluralityof wheels of a tracked vehicle on which the track is mounted, the beltshaving a ground-facing side. The cross-link comprises an elongate memberfor mounting to the belts to interconnect the belts, the elongate memberhaving a belt-engaging face contacting the belts on the ground-facingside when the elongate member is mounted to the belts. The cross-linkalso comprises a wheel guide comprising a pair of projections spacedapart from one another, the projections extending from the belt-engagingface and opposite the ground-facing side. The wheel guide is capable ofengaging the wheels of the tracked vehicle as the tracked vehicletravels over the track such that, when the wheel guide engages a givenone of the wheels, the given one of the wheels is received between theprojections.

According to a second broad aspect, the invention provides a cross-linkfor a track that comprises belts spaced apart to accommodate a pluralityof wheels of a tracked vehicle on which the track is mounted, the beltshaving a ground-facing side. The cross-link comprises an elongate memberfor mounting to the belts to interconnect the belts, the elongate memberhaving a belt-engaging face contacting the belts on the ground-facingside when the elongate member is mounted to the belts. The elongatemember defines a channel including a bottom portion and a pair ofsidewalls extending from the bottom portion, each of the sidewallshaving a height, measured relative to the belt-engaging face, of atleast 30 mm.

According to a third broad aspect, the invention provides a cross-linkfor a track that comprises belts spaced apart to accommodate a pluralityof wheels of a tracked vehicle on which the track is mounted, the beltshaving a ground-facing side. The cross-link comprises an elongate memberfor mounting to the belts to interconnect the belts, the elongate memberhaving a belt-engaging face contacting the belts on the ground-facingside when the elongate member is mounted to the belts. The elongatemember defines a channel including a bottom portion and a pair ofsidewalls extending from the bottom portion. Each of the sidewalls has aheight and a thickness, the height being measured relative to thebelt-engaging face. Each of the sidewalls has a height-to-thicknessratio of at least 3.0.

According to a fourth broad aspect, the invention provides a cross-linkfor a track that comprises belts spaced apart to accommodate a pluralityof wheels of a tracked vehicle on which the track is mounted, the beltshaving a ground-facing side for facing a ground surface on which thetracked vehicle travels. The cross-link comprises an elongate member formounting to the belts to interconnect the belts, the elongate memberhaving a belt-engaging face contacting the belts on the ground-facingside when the elongate member is mounted to the belts. The elongatemember defines a channel including a bottom portion and a pair ofsidewalls extending from the bottom portion, each of the sidewallshaving a terminating edge for engaging the ground surface to form aregion of localized pressure on the ground surface.

According to a fifth broad aspect, the invention provides a sole for across-link of a track that comprises belts spaced apart to accommodate aplurality of wheels of a tracked vehicle on which the track is mounted.The cross-link comprises an elongate member having a first end and asecond end, the elongate member defining a channel including a bottomportion and a pair of sidewalls opposite one another on either side ofthe bottom portion. The sole is mountable in the channel and comprises apair of sidewall-engaging surfaces for engaging the sidewalls when thesole is mounted in the channel, the sidewall-engaging surfaces beinggenerally parallel to one another.

According to a sixth broad aspect, the invention provides a sole for across-link of a track that comprises belts spaced apart to accommodate aplurality of wheels of a tracked vehicle on which the track is mounted.The cross-link comprises an elongate member for mounting to the belts tointerconnect the belts, the elongate member defining a channel includinga bottom portion and a pair of sidewalls opposite one another on eitherside of the bottom portion. The sole comprises a base portion formounting in the channel of the elongate member and a ground-engagingportion comprising elastomeric material for engaging a ground surface onwhich the tracked vehicle moves.

According to a seventh broad aspect, the invention provides a sole for across-link of a track that comprises belts spaced apart to accommodate aplurality of wheels of a tracked vehicle on which the track is mounted.The cross-link comprises an elongate member for mounting to the belts tointerconnect the belts. The sole comprises: an inner side for facing theelongate member to mount the sole to the elongate member; an outer sideopposite the inner side for engaging a ground surface on which thetracked vehicle moves; and a plurality of blind holes extending from theinner side without reaching the outer side, the sole being mountable tothe elongate member via a plurality of fasteners received in the blindholes.

According to an eighth broad aspect, the invention provides a cross-linkfor a track that comprises belts spaced apart to accommodate a pluralityof wheels of a tracked vehicle on which the track is mounted, the beltshaving a ground-facing side. The cross-link comprises an elongate memberfor mounting to the belts to interconnect the belts, the elongate memberhaving a belt-engaging face contacting the belts on the ground-facingside when the elongate member is mounted to the belts. The elongatemember defines a channel including a bottom portion and a pair ofsidewalls opposite one another on either side of the bottom portion. Thecross-link also comprises a sole mountable in the channel for engaging aground surface on which the tracked vehicle travels, the sole comprisinga pair of sidewall-engaging surfaces for engaging the sidewalls when thesole is mounted in the channel.

These and other aspects of the invention will now become apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of embodiments of the invention is providedbelow, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B respectively show a side view and a front view of anexample of a tracked vehicle comprising a pair of tracks each comprisinga plurality of cross-links in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows one of the tracks arranged in an endless path around aplurality of wheels of the tracked vehicle;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show different perspective views of one of thecross-links;

FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively show a front view and a side view of thecross-link shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show different perspective views of an elongate member ofthe cross-link shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIGS. 9 to 12 respectively show a front view, a top view, a bottom viewand a side view of the elongate member shown in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIGS. 13 and 14 show different perspective views of a sole of thecross-link shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIGS. 15 to 18 respectively show a front view, a top view, a bottom viewand a side view of the sole shown in FIGS. 13 and 14; and

FIG. 19 shows a front cross-sectional view of the sole shown in FIGS. 13and 14.

It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings areonly for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments of theinvention and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to bea definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a tracked vehicle 10 comprising a pair of tracks 12₁, 12 ₂ in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The trackedvehicle 10 comprises a prime mover (e.g., an internal combustion engine)in a driving relationship with a pair of drive wheels 18 ₁, 18 ₂ (inthis case, sprockets) each driving a respective one of the tracks 12 ₁,12 ₂ to propel the tracked vehicle 10 on a ground surface. As it isdriven by the respective one of the drive wheels 18 ₁, 18 ₂, each of thetracks 12 ₁, 12 ₂ moves in an endless path around that drive wheel aswell as a respective one of a pair of idler wheels 19 ₁, 19 ₂ (in thiscase, sprockets) and a respective one of two sets of support wheels 21₁₋₁-21 ₁₋₄, 21 ₂₋₁-21 ₂₋₄ of the tracked vehicle 10. The tracked vehicle10 can be used in various industrial, military and/or other applicationsover various types of terrain.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, each track 12 _(j) (j=1 or 2)comprises a pair of belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ spaced apart from one another toaccommodate the drive wheel 18 _(j), the idler wheel 19 _(j) and thesupport wheels 21 _(j-1)-21 _(j-4) of the tracked vehicle 10. Inaddition, the track 12 _(j) comprises a series of cross-links 14 ₁-14_(N) distributed longitudinally along the track 12 _(j) and extendingtransversally to interconnect the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂.

Each of the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ has an inner side 24 facing the wheels 18_(j), 19 _(j), 21 _(j-1)-21 _(j-4) and defining an inner area 15 of thetrack 12 _(j) in which these wheels are located. Each of the belts 20 ₁,20 ₂ also has an outer, ground-facing side 25 opposite the inner side 24and facing the ground surface on which the tracked vehicle 10 travels.In this embodiment, each of the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ comprises a continuouslength of rubber closed to form the belt. In other embodiments, thebelts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ may have various other constructions. For example, eachof the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ may comprise a plurality of parts (e.g., rubberand/or metallic sections) interconnected to one another to form thebelt. Also, while in this embodiment the track 12 _(j) comprises the twobelts 20 ₁, 20 ₂, in other embodiments, the track 12 _(j) may comprisethree or more such belts.

The cross-links 14 ₁-14 _(N) interconnect the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ andinteract with the wheels 18 _(j), 19 _(j), 21 _(j-1)-21 _(j-4) as thetrack 12 _(j) moves in the endless path around these wheels. Inparticular, the cross-links 14 ₁-14 _(N) interact with the drive wheel18 _(j) to cause the track 12 _(j) to be driven by the drive wheel 18_(j). More specifically, in this case, as the drive wheel 18 _(j)rotates, individual ones of the cross-links 14 ₁-14 _(N) engage recessesin the drive wheel 18 _(j) which causes the track 12 _(j) to be drivenin the endless path around the wheels 18 _(j), 19 _(j), 21 _(j-1)-21_(j-4). In addition, as the track 12 _(j) moves around the endless path,individual ones of the cross-links 14 ₁-14 _(N) located on a lower runof the track 12 _(j) engage the ground surface and thus contribute totraction of the tracked vehicle 10 on the ground surface.

With additional reference to FIGS. 3 to 19, in this embodiment, eachcross-link 14 _(i) (1≦i≦N) comprises an elongate member 30, a sole 40,and a pair of backing parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂. As further discussed below, thesole 40 can be used when the tracked vehicle 10 is to travel on a hardsurface (e.g., a paved surface) in order to minimize an impact of thecross-link 14 _(i) on that surface. When the tracked vehicle 10 is totravel on a soft surface (e.g., mud, earth), the sole 40 can be removedto allow the elongate member 30 to provide enhanced traction on thatsurface.

The elongate member 30 is configured to be mounted to the belts 20 ₁, 20₂ to interconnect the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂. In addition, the elongate member30 also serves to transmit forces resulting from rotational motion ofthe drive wheel 18 _(j) to the track 12 _(j) in order to cause motion ofthe track 12 _(j).

More particularly, the elongate member 30 comprises a first end 31 ₁, asecond end 31 ₂ and a central portion 32 therebetween. The centralportion 32 of the elongate member 30 comes into contact with and engagesthe drive wheel 18 _(j), which applies force to the cross-link 14 _(i)and causes motion of the track 12 _(j) in the same general direction asthe rotational direction of the drive wheel 18 _(i).

The elongate member 30 comprises a belt-engaging face 33 that is incontact with the ground-facing side 25 of the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂, when theelongate member 30 is mounted to the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂. In thisembodiment, the belt-engaging face 33 is mainly flat, which may allowthe weight of the tracked vehicle 10 to be distributed across the entireelongate member 30, providing the tracked vehicle 10 with a generallylow ground pressure that may prove advantageous on certain groundsurfaces.

The elongate member 30 also comprises a bottom portion 34 and a pair ofsidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ that lie opposite to one another on either side ofthe bottom portion 34 to create a channel 35. As further discussed lateron, the channel 35 helps to receive and retain the sole 40 when the sole40 is used as part of the cross-link 14 _(i).

The bottom portion 34 comprises a sole-engaging surface 37 that extendsfrom the first end 31 ₁ to the second end 31 ₂ of the elongate member 30and that is in contact with the sole 40 when the sole 40 is used as partof the cross-link 14 _(i). In this case, the sole-engaging surface 37 isgenerally flat such that, as the sole 40 contacts the sole-engagingsurface 37 when mounted in the channel 35, there is a planar interface(i.e., contact points lying in a common plane) between the sole 40 andthe bottom portion 34 from the first end 31 ₁ to the second end 31 ₂ ofthe elongate member 30, which may allow a more uniform distribution offorces when the tracked vehicle 10 travels.

A plurality of holes 73 ₁-73 ₆ pass through the bottom portion 34 toreceive fasteners that allow mounting of the elongate member 30 to thebelts 20 ₁, 20 ₂. More particularly, in this embodiment, the holes 73₁-73 ₆ are divided equally between two (2) sets. Each set is located inone lateral portion of the elongate member 30, so that a first set withthe holes 73 ₁-73 ₃ is located in a first lateral portion proximate thefirst end 31 ₁, while a second set with the holes 73 ₄-73 ₆ is locatedin a second lateral portion proximate the second end 31 ₂. In otherembodiments, the elongate member 30 may have a different number of holesand/or a different arrangement of such holes.

The sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ are configured to, on the one hand, enhanceretention of the sole 40 when it is used as part of the cross-link 14_(i) and, on the other hand, enhance a traction effect of the elongatemember 30 in the ground surface on which the tracked vehicle 10 travelswhen the sole 40 is not used. Each of the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ extendsfrom the bottom portion 34 to a terminating edge 39.

More particularly, in this embodiment, the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ areconfigured such that the channel 35 has a substantially constant widthW_(c) from the first end 31 ₁ to the second end 31 ₂ (while in practicethere may be some slight variation in the width W_(c) of the channel 35due to manufacturing of the elongate member 30, the width W_(c) issubstantially constant in that it does not change from a macroscopicpoint of view). Specifically, in this case, the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂have inner surfaces that are generally parallel to one another such thatthe width W_(c) of the channel 35 is substantially constant. Maintainingthis substantially constant width W_(c) throughout the channel 35 alongits entire length allows the elongate member 30 to be sturdier,facilitates its manufacturing, and provides a better interface with andretention of the sole 40 within the channel 35 when the sole 40 is usedas part of the cross-link 14 _(i).

Each of the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ has a height H (measured from thebelt-engaging face 33 to its terminating edge 39) providing the channel35 with an internal height that enhances retention of the sole 40therein when the sole 40 is mounted therein. The height H of each of thesidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ also allows that sidewall to act as an aggressivetraction element on the ground surface on which the tracked vehicle 10travels, when the sole 40 is not used as part of the cross-link 14 _(i).For example, in some embodiments, the height H of each of the sidewalls36 ₁, 36 ₂ may be of at least 30 mm, and in some cases 35 mm or more, toprovide such desired enhanced retention of the sole 40 when it is usedand aggressive traction effect when the sole 40 is not used. The heightH may take on various other values in other embodiments.

In addition to the height H of the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂, when the sole40 is not used as part of the cross-link 14 _(i), the terminating edge39 of each sidewall engages the ground surface on which the trackedvehicle 10 travels to form a region of localized pressure on the groundsurface which enhances traction of the tracked vehicle 10.

Also, in this case, the height H of the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ is suchthat, when the sole 40 is not used as part of the cross-link 14 _(i),any fasteners that are used to secure the elongate member 30 to thebelts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ remain recessed within the channel 35, i.e., do notextend higher than the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂. Since repeated contactbetween any part of a fastener that extended outside of the channel 35and a hard ground surface (e.g., a paved road or sidewalk) could causeimpact on the ground surface, the height H of the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂helps reduce potential damage from the cross-link 14 _(i) on such asurface. Moreover, such contact between any part of a fastener outsideof the channel 35 and a hard ground surface could also cause unnecessarywear to and decrease operational life of such fasteners, and thus theheight H of the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ also helps to extend theoperational life of the fasteners when the sole 40 is not used as partof the cross-link 14 _(i).

In this embodiment, the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ decrease in heightproximate the first end 31 ₁ and the second end 31 ₂ of the elongatemember 30. That is, each of the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ has a firsttapering end portion leading to the first end 31 ₁ and a second taperingend portion leading to the second end 31 ₂. These tapering end portionscan facilitate turning of the cross-link 14 _(i) when the trackedvehicle 10 and the track 12 _(i) turn. Thus, in this and otherembodiments where the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ vary in height along theirlength, the height H of each of the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ can be taken asa maximum height of that sidewall along its length. Also, although inthis embodiment both of the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ have the same height H,in some embodiments, the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ may have different heightsH.

Each of the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ also has a thickness T (taken as itsaverage thickness along its height H) which provides sufficient strengthand rigidity to that sidewall to allow it properly retain the sole 40when the sole 40 is mounted in the channel 35 and to allow it towithstand forces exerted thereon while acting as a traction element whenthe sole 40 is not used as part of the cross-link 14 _(i). For example,in some embodiments, the thickness T of each of the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂may be of 7.5 mm, and in some cases of at least 9.5 mm, to provide suchdesired enhanced retention of the sole 40 when it is used and aggressivetraction effect when the sole 40 is not used. The thickness T may takeon various other values in other embodiments. Also, while in thisembodiment both of the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ have the same thickness T,in other embodiments, the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ may have differentthicknesses T.

The height H and the thickness T of each of the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ canthus be selected to allow the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ to both enhanceretention of the sole 40 when it is used as part of the cross-link 14_(i) and act as an aggressive traction element when the sole 40 is notused as part of the cross-link 14 _(i). For example, each of thesidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ may have a height-to-thickness ratio H/T of atleast 3.0, and in some cases 3.5 or more, to provide such desiredenhanced retention of the sole 40 when it is used and aggressivetraction effect when the sole 40 is not used, while maintainingsufficient strength and rigidity.

In this embodiment, the elongate member 30, including the bottom portion34 and the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂, is created by stamping, in this casebending, a single piece of material to form the elongate member 30. Moreparticularly, in this embodiment, the single piece of material is a flatpiece of metal, in this case high-strength steel, which is bent intoshape. Various bending techniques, involving plastic deformation of thesingle piece of metal about a linear axis with little or no change inits surface area, are well known can be used for this process. Thesebending techniques can facilitate manufacturing of the elongate member30 and allow proper formation of the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ with aheight-to-thickness H/T ratio as described above.

While in this embodiment the elongate member 30 comprises a singlemetallic component that is formed and shaped through a stamping process,in other embodiments, the elongate member 30 may be produced usingvarious other processes and may comprise a plurality of components thatare interconnected to one another, such as through welding, and that aremade of the same material or different material. For example, in someembodiments, the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ and the bottom portion 34 may eachbe produced separately and then welded together to form the elongatemember 30.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1A to 19, in this embodiment, thecross-link 14 _(i) comprises a wheel guide 60 to engage individual onesof the wheels 18 _(j), 19 _(j), 21 _(j-1)-21 _(j-4) as the track 12 _(j)moves in the endless path around these wheels. The wheel guide 60comprises a pair of projections 62 ₁, 62 ₂ that are spaced apart fromone another and that extend from the belt-engaging face 33 and oppositethe ground-facing side 25, i.e., from the belt-engaging face 33 towardsthe inner area 15 of the track 12 _(j).

As the track 12 _(j) moves along its endless path, each of the wheels 18_(j), 19 _(j), 21 _(j-1)-21 _(j-4) passes through the wheel guide 60,and in particular, between the projections 62 ₁, 62 ₂ that are locatedon either side of these wheels. The projections 62 ₁, 62 ₂ can interactwith the wheels 18 _(j), 19 _(j), 21 _(j-1)-21 _(j-4) to keep thecross-link 14 _(i) centered by opposing any lateral movement outside ofa space between these projections. As a result, the projections 62 ₁, 62₂ help to laterally guide the track 12 _(j) as it moves along itsendless path.

In this embodiment, when viewed from a front or rear of the elongatemember 30, each of the projections 62 ₁, 62 ₂ has a triangular shape, inthis case resembling a right-angle triangle, with a wheel-facing face 63that faces individual ones of the wheels 18 _(j), 19 _(j), 21 _(j-1)-21_(j-4) as the track 12 _(j) moves along its endless path. Thewheel-facing face 63 of each of the projections 62 ₁, 62 ₂ lies at anobtuse angle relative to the belt-engaging face 33, which can helpcenter the elongate member 30 (and therefore the cross-link 14) as itcomes into contact with any of the wheels 18 _(j), 19 _(j), 21 _(j-1)-21_(j-4). More specifically, any lateral motion of the elongate member 30towards outside of the space between the projections 62 ₁, 62 ₂ will becounteracted when the wheel-facing face 63 of one of the projections 62₁, 62 ₂ comes into contact with one of the wheels 18 _(j), 19 _(j), 21_(j-1)-21 _(j-4), thus guiding the elongate member 30 back towards acenter region of the space between the projections 62 ₁, 62 ₂. Throughthese components, the track 12 _(j) can thus remain laterally centeredbetween the projections 62 ₁, 62 ₂ and so remain on its endless path.

While in this embodiment the projections 62 ₁, 62 ₂ are configured asright-angled triangles, in other embodiments, the projections 62 ₁, 62 ₂may have various other shapes. For example, in some embodiments, theprojections 62 ₁, 62 ₂ may be configured as non-right-angled triangles(e.g., isosceles or equilateral triangles). Also, in some embodiments,the wheel-facing face 63 may define an arc that approximates a profileof the wheels 18 _(j), 19 _(j), 21 _(j-1)-21 _(j-4).

In this embodiment, the projections 62 ₁, 62 ₂ are made of metallicmaterial, in this case 4140 high-strength steel, and are secured to theelongate member 30 by welding them to the belt-engaging face 33. Inother embodiments, the projections 62 ₁, 62 ₂ may be made of variousother materials and/or may be secured to the elongate member 30 invarious other ways, such as via nut and bolt fasteners. In yet otherembodiments, the projections 62 ₁, 62 ₂ may be integrally formed withthe elongate member 30.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1A to 19, the sole 40 can be mountedto the elongate member 30 when the tracked vehicle 10 is to travel on ahard surface (e.g., a paved surface) in order to minimize an impact ofthe cross-link 14 _(i) on that surface. More particularly, the sole 40comprises an inner side 42 for facing the elongate member 30 to mountthe sole 40 to the elongate member 30 and an outer side 44 opposite theinner side 42 for engaging the ground surface on which the trackedvehicle 10 moves. In this embodiment, the sole 40 is mounted to theelongate member 30 via a plurality of fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ extending fromthe inner side 42 to the elongate member 30.

The sole 40 comprises a base portion 46 that is mountable within thechannel 35 of the elongate member 30 and a ground-engaging portion 48for engaging the ground surface on which the tracked vehicle 10 travels.In this case, certain sections of the ground-engaging portion 48 (e.g.,extremities corresponding to the first end 31 ₁ and the second end 31 ₂of the elongate member 30) may not always engage the ground surface, butmay rather only come into contact with the ground surface in situationswhere the tracked vehicle 10 is resting on an incline and/or a softsurface (such as mud) where the elongate member 30 and/or the sole 40are partially submerged.

More particularly, in this embodiment, the base portion 46 of the sole40 comprises a pair of sidewall-engaging surfaces 47 ₁, 47 ₂ forengaging the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ of the elongate member 30 when thesole 40 is mounted in the channel 35. Thus, in this case, thesidewall-engaging surfaces 47 ₁, 47 ₂ are generally parallel to oneanother and separated by a distance corresponding to the substantiallyconstant width W_(c) of the channel 35 to allow the base portion 46 ofthe sole 40 to fit within the channel 35. When the base portion 46 ismounted within the channel 35, the sidewall-engaging surfaces 47 ₁, 47 ₂contact the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ (and in this case the sole-engagingsurface 37) of the elongate member 30, which helps retains the sole 40in the channel 35 when the cross-link 14 _(i) is subjected to forces asthe tracked vehicle 10 moves on the ground surface.

Also, in this embodiment, the ground-engaging portion 48 compriseselastomeric material for engaging the ground surface on which thetracked vehicle 10 moves. More specifically, in this embodiment, theelastomeric material of the ground-engaging portion 48 is rubber, whichcan be any natural, synthetic, or modified high polymer with elasticproperties, such as acrylate rubber, acrylic rubber, acrylonitrilerubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber or butadiene rubber. In otherembodiments, any other suitable elastomeric material may be used.

When the ground surface is hard (e.g., a paved road), the rubber of theground-engaging portion 48 helps minimize effects of the cross-link 14_(i) as it comes into repeated contact with the hard ground surface,while providing traction for the tracked vehicle 10 to travel along sucha surface. In fact, the rubber of the ground-engaging portion 48enhances traction of the sole 40 by “gripping” the ground surface onwhich the tracked vehicle 10 travels, in particular when the groundsurface includes one or more inclined surfaces that may need to betraversed, such as steep paths that run up hills or down gullies.

In this case, the ground-engaging portion 48 comprises a tread pattern71 which may assist in improving traction of the tracked vehicle 10 on avariety of ground surfaces. The tread pattern 71 may also allowchanneling of water or other liquids away from that section of theground-engaging portion 48 that is in contact with a wet ground surface,which may improve handling of the tracked vehicle 10 under wet oradverse weather conditions. Also, the tread pattern 71 is configuredsuch that it lacks spaces in which rocks or other hard objects couldbecome trapped in when it contacts the ground surface.

For its part, in this embodiment, the base portion 46 of the sole 40 isalso made of the same elastomeric material (in this case, rubber) asthat of the ground-engaging portion 48. In fact, in this embodiment, thebase portion 46 and ground-engaging portion 48 of the sole 40 constitutea single rubber component. The rubber of the base portion 46 helps inretaining the sole 40 in the channel 35.

In other embodiments, the base portion 46 may be a component distinctfrom but connected to the ground-engaging portion 48 and may be made ofa material different than that of the ground-engaging portion 48. Forexample, the base portion 46 may contain a rigid material, such asultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) plastic or another rigid plastic,while the ground-engaging portion 48 may contain the elastomericmaterial and be secured to the base portion 46 through one or morefasteners (e.g., screws or nuts/bolts) or some bonding technique (e.g.,glue or epoxy).

When the sole 40 is used as part of the cross-link 14 _(i), it ismounted to the elongate member 30 via the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ thatextend from its inner side 42. In this embodiment, the fasteners 41 ₁-41₆ are integrated with the sole 40. More particularly, in this case, thesole 40 comprises a frame member 49 which acts as an armature on whichthe rubber of the sole 40 is supported. The frame member 49, which maybe made of any suitable rigid material (e.g., steel), also supports thefasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆, which, for instance, can be threaded into or weldedto the frame member 49.

The frame member 49, which may be made of any suitable rigid material(e.g., steel), supports the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆. For example, thefasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ may be attached to the frame member 49 by screwingone of their ends into the frame member 49 or by welding one of theirends directly to the frame member 49. Alternatively, the fasteners 41₁-41 ₆ may be integrally formed with the frame member 49. In any event,the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ and the frame member 49 are combined in a waythat allows their integration with other components of the sole 40.

The fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ are arranged on the frame member 49 in such away that each fastener may be aligned with one of the holes 73 ₁-73 ₆ ofthe elongate member 30. More particularly, in this case, the fasteners41 ₁-41 ₆ are divided equally between two (2) sets that are located inrespective lateral portions of the sole 40 to match the two (2) sets ofholes 73 ₁-73 ₃ and 73 ₄-73 ₆ of the elongate member 30. In this way,the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ may be used to mount the sole 40 to the elongatemember 30 and thus mount the cross-link 14 _(i) to the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂.

In this embodiment, the rubber used to form the base portion 46 and theground-engaging portion 48 of the sole 40 is molded around the framemember 49 and the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆. In addition to facilitatingmanufacturing of the sole 40, this integration of the frame member 49and the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ with a remainder of the sole 40 (i.e., thebase portion 46 and the ground-engaging portion 48) help simplify andspeed up mounting and dismounting of the sole 40 to and from theelongate member 30.

Also, in this embodiment, the outer side 44 of the sole 40 lacks holesthrough which the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ are exposed when the sole 40 ismounted to the elongate member 30. This lack of holes on the outer side44 of the sole 40 prevents rocks and other objects from being trapped inthe outer side 44 of the sole 40, which could otherwise contribute todamaging a hard ground surface (e.g., a paved road) on which the trackedvehicle 10 travels under the vehicle's weight.

More specifically, in this case, since a first end of each of thefasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ is attached to the frame member 49, around which therubber of the sole 40 is molded, only a second end of each fastener isexposed. In other words, the sole 40 can be viewed as defining aplurality of blind holes that extend from the inner side 42 withoutreaching the outer side 44, in which are received the fasteners 41 ₁-41₆. As a result, when the sole 40 is mounted to the elongate member 30,the outer side 44 of the sole 40 lacks holes through which the first endof the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ would otherwise be exposed. This seamlessnature of the outer side 44 prevents rocks and other small objects frombecoming trapped within such holes and also protects the fasteners 41₁-41 ₆ from damage from such debris, which may extend their operationallife.

While in this embodiment the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ are integrated with thesole 40, in other embodiments, separate fasteners may be used to mountthe sole 40 to the elongate member 30 (e.g., by screwing them into thebase portion 46 of the sole 40 from its inner side 24). Also, when thesole 40 is not used as part of the cross-link 14 _(i), the elongatemember 30 may be mounted to the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ via separate fastenersor a frame member similar to the frame member 49 supporting a pluralityof fasteners.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1A to 19, the backing parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂are configured to be mounted to the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ to assist theelongate member 30 in interconnecting the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂. Each of thebacking parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂ has a belt-engaging face 51 that contacts arespective one of the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ on its inner side 24 when thebacking part is mounted to that belt. Thus, when the cross-link 14 _(j)is mounted to the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂, the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ are sandwichedbetween the belt-engaging face 33 of the elongate member 30 and thebelt-engaging face 51 of each of backing parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂.

In this embodiment, the backing parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂ are metallic platesthat may be formed from any suitably rigid metallic material, such assteel. Each of the parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂ is pierced with a plurality of holes80 ₁-80 ₃ to receive fasteners, such as the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ of thesole 40 or separate fasteners when the sole 40 is not used. In this way,the backing parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂ may be used to interconnect the elongatemember 30 (and the sole 40, when used) to the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂.

It will thus be appreciated that the cross-link 14 _(i) (and other onesof the cross-links 14 _(i)-14 _(N)) can conveniently be mounted to thebelts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ to interconnect them. A portion of each of the belts 20₁, 20 ₂ is designed to lie between the belt-engaging face 33 of theelongate member 30 on one side (i.e., the ground-facing side 25) and thebelt-engaging face 51 of one of the backing parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂ on theother side (i.e., the inner side 24). Holes in the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂allow alignment of the holes 73 ₁-73 ₆ of the elongate member 30 and theholes 80 ₁-80 ₃ of the backing parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂ that sandwich the belts.When suitably aligned, a fastener (e.g., 41 ₁) inserted through one ofthe holes 73 ₁-73 ₆ of the elongate member 30 emerges through thebelt-engaging face 33, passes through the corresponding hole in the belt(20 ₁ or 20 ₂), and then emerges through the corresponding hole (e.g.,80 ₁) in the belt-engaging face 51.

When the holes 73 ₁-73 ₆ of the elongate member 30 are so aligned withthe holes in the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂, the elongate member 30 liestransversely across the ground-facing side 25 of each of the belts. Eachof the backing parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂ lies transversely across the inner side24 of one of the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂. In this configuration, the elongatemember 30 and the backing parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂ are appropriately alignedwith the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂. The fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ are used to attachthese components together and thus form the cross-link 14 _(i) with thesole 40 mounted thereon.

The base portion 46 of the sole 40 fits within the channel 35 of theelongate member 30 to allow mounting of the sole 40 to the elongatemember 30. Thus, when the sole 40 is mounted to the member 30: thesidewall-engaging surfaces 47 ₁, 47 ₂ of the sole 40 engage thesidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ of the elongate member 30; the inner side 42 of thesole 40 comes into contact with the flat sole-engaging surface 37 of theelongate member 30; and each of the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ attached to theframe member 49 enclosed within the sole 40 may penetrate itscorresponding one of the holes 73 ₁-73 ₆ of the elongate member 30.

In particular, when the sole 40 is mounted, the exposed end of each ofthe fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ passes through a corresponding one of the holes73 ₁-73 ₆ of the elongate member 30, then passes through one or theholes of the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ and finally passes through a correspondingone of the holes 80 ₁-80 ₃ in one of the backing parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂.Tightening the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ (e.g., through the use of a threadednut) to a suitable amount sandwiches the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ between thebacking parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂ and the elongate member 30 to which the sole 40is mounted, thereby securing the cross-link 14 _(i) to the belts 20 ₁,20 ₂.

While this example included the sole 40 as part of the cross-link 14_(i), there may be some situations where the sole 40 may be purposelyexcluded. For example, the sole 40 may be excluded from the cross-link14 _(i) in a situation where enhanced traction is required, such as whenthe tracked vehicle 10 must traverse a very soft ground surface, such astravelling through sand or mud.

In such situations, the sole 40 may be removed from the cross-link 14_(i) (or not mounted thereon to begin with) to provide the enhancedtraction needed to move across such surfaces. To remove the sole 40, thefasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ that are integrated with the sole 40 (via the framemember 49) are first loosened to the point where they allow movement,such as by loosing and/or removing a nut from each fastener.

With the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ having been loosened, the sole 40 mayremain mounted to the elongate member 30 in the channel 35 due toengagement between the sidewall-engaging surfaces 47 ₁, 47 ₂ of the sole40 and the sidewalls 36 ₁, 36 ₂ of the elongate member 30. By pulling onthe sole 40 (on the ground-engaging portion 48) in a perpendicularlyopposite direction to the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂, the engagement between thebase portion 46 of the sole 40 and the channel 35 of the elongate member30 may be removed to allow removal of the sole 40. As the sole 40 isremoved, the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ pass through the holes 80 ₁-80 ₃ in thebacking parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂, then through the holes in the belts 20 ₁, 20₂, and finally through the holes 73 ₁-73 ₆ of the elongate member 30.

Once the sole 40 is removed, the fasteners 41 ₁-41 ₆ must be replacedwith a second set of fasteners to keep the cross-link 14 _(i) mounted tothe belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂. This second set of fasteners may be providedindividually or via a frame member that is similar to the frame member49, as mentioned previously. If fasteners in the second set of thefasteners are provided individually, one end of each fastener is fedthrough a corresponding one of the holes 73 ₁-73 ₆ of the elongatemember 30, then through a corresponding one of the holes in the belts 20₁, 20 ₂, and then through a corresponding one of the holes 80 ₁-80 ₃ inthe backing parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂, while its other end is secured within thechannel 35 (e.g., via a suitable nut). Alternatively, if the second setof fasteners is provided via a frame member that is similar to the framemember 49, the exposed ends of these fasteners are first aligned withthe holes 73 ₁-73 ₆ in the bottom portion 34 of the elongate member 30.Upon insertion of the frame member into the channel 35 of the elongatemember 30, the fasteners linked to this frame member pass through thecomponents of the cross-link 14 _(i) and the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ in amanner similar to that described above and are suitably tightened (e.g.,through threaded nuts) to keep the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ sandwiched betweenthe backing parts 50 ₁, 50 ₂ and the elongate member 30, which keeps thecross-link 14 _(i) mounted to the belts 20 ₁, 20 ₂ without the use ofthe sole 40.

It will thus be appreciated that this ability to mount and dismount thesole 40 from elongate member 30 allows the tracked vehicle 10 totraverse a wide variety of ground surfaces with improved traction whileminimizing impact on the traversed surface.

Although various embodiments and examples have been presented, this wasfor the purpose of describing, but not limiting, the invention. Variousmodifications and enhancements will become apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art and are within the scope of the invention, which isdefined by the appended claims.

1. A cross-link for a track that comprises belts spaced apart toaccommodate a plurality of wheels of a tracked vehicle on which thetrack is mounted, the belts having a ground-facing side, the cross-linkcomprising: an elongate member for mounting to the belts to interconnectthe belts, the elongate member having a belt-engaging face contactingthe belts on the ground-facing side when the elongate member is mountedto the belts; and a wheel guide comprising a pair of projections spacedapart from one another, the projections extending from the belt-engagingface and opposite the ground-facing side, the wheel guide being capableof engaging the wheels of the tracked vehicle as the tracked vehicletravels over the track such that, when the wheel guide engages a givenone of the wheels, the given one of the wheels is received between theprojections.
 2. A cross-link as claimed in claim 1, the projectionsbeing welded to the elongate member.
 3. A cross-link as claimed in claim1, each of the projections comprising a wheel-facing face for facing thegiven one of the wheels received between the projections, thewheel-facing face defining an obtuse angle with the belt-engaging face.4. A cross-link as claimed in claim 1, the elongate member defining achannel including a bottom portion and a pair of sidewalls extendingfrom the bottom portion.
 5. A cross-link as claimed in claim 4, theelongate member having a first end and a second end, the channel havinga substantially constant width between the sidewalls from the first endto the second end.
 6. A cross-link as claimed in claim 4, each of thesidewalls having a height, measured relative to the belt-engaging face,of at least 30 mm.
 7. A cross-link as claimed in claim 6, the height ofeach of the sidewalls being at least 35 mm.
 8. A cross-link as claimedin claim 4, each of the sidewalls having a height and a thickness, theheight being measured relative to the belt-engaging face, each of thesidewalls having a height-to-thickness ratio of at least 3.0.
 9. Across-link as claimed in claim 8, the height-to-thickness ratio of eachof the sidewalls being at least 3.5.
 10. A cross-link as claimed inclaim 4, the sidewalls being stamped sidewalls. 11.-83. (canceled)
 84. Across-link as claimed in claim 3, each of the projections comprising asecond face opposite the wheel-facing face, the second face beinggenerally perpendicular to the belt-engaging face.
 85. A cross-link asclaimed in claim 4, the elongate member having a first end and a secondend, the bottom portion comprising an inner surface extending from thefirst end to the second end, the inner surface being generally flat. 86.A cross-link as claimed in claim 4, comprising a sole mountable in thechannel for engaging a ground surface on which the tracked vehicletravels.
 87. A cross-link as claimed in claim 86, the sole comprising: abase portion for mounting in the channel; and a ground-engaging portionfor engaging the ground surface, the ground-engaging portion comprisingpolymeric material that contacts the ground surface when the trackedvehicle moves.
 88. A cross-link as claimed in claim 87, the polymericmaterial being elastomeric material.
 89. A cross-link as claimed inclaim 87, the base portion being integral with the ground-engagingportion and comprising polymeric material integral with the polymericmaterial of the ground-engaging portion.
 90. A cross-link as claimed inclaim 87, the base portion comprising a pair of sidewall-engagingsurfaces for engaging the sidewalls when the sole is mounted in thechannel, the sidewall-engaging surfaces being generally parallel to oneanother.
 91. A cross-link as claimed in claim 86, the sole comprising aplurality of fasteners to mount the sole to the elongate member.
 92. Across-link as claimed in claim 91, the sole comprising polymericmaterial and a frame member within the polymeric material, the framemember supporting the fasteners.
 93. A cross-link as claimed in claim86, the sole comprising: an inner side for facing the elongate member;an outer side opposite the inner side for engaging the ground surface;and a plurality of blind holes extending from the inner side withoutreaching the outer side, the sole being mountable to the elongate membervia a plurality of fasteners in the blind holes.
 94. A cross-link asclaimed in claim 93, the fasteners being integrated with the sole.
 95. Across-link as claimed in claim 86, the sidewalls having terminatingedges, the sole having sidewall-engaging surfaces that overlie theterminating edges when the sole is mounted to the elongate member.
 96. Across-link as claimed in claim 87, the ground-engaging portion beingwider than the base portion.
 97. A cross-link for a track that comprisesbelts spaced apart to accommodate a plurality of wheels of a trackedvehicle on which the track is mounted, the belts having a ground-facingside, the cross-link comprising: an elongate member for mounting to thebelts to interconnect the belts, the elongate member having abelt-engaging face contacting the belts on the ground-facing side whenthe elongate member is mounted to the belts, the elongate memberdefining a channel including a bottom portion and a pair of sidewallsextending from the bottom portion, the sidewalls having terminatingedges; and a sole mountable in the channel for engaging a ground surfaceon which the tracked vehicle travels, the sole comprisingsidewall-engaging surfaces for engaging the sidewalls when the sole ismounted in the channel, the sidewall-engaging surfaces overlying theterminating edges when the sole is mounted in the channel.
 98. A solefor a cross-link of a track that comprises belts spaced apart toaccommodate a plurality of wheels of a tracked vehicle on which thetrack is mounted, the cross-link comprising an elongate member formounting to the belts to interconnect the belts, the elongate memberdefining a channel including a bottom portion and a pair of sidewallsthat extend from the bottom portion, the sole comprising: a base portionfor mounting in the channel; and a ground-engaging portion for engaginga ground surface on which the tracked vehicle moves, the ground-engagingportion comprising polymeric material that contacts the ground surfacewhen the tracked vehicle moves.
 99. A sole as claimed in claim 98, thepolymeric material being elastomeric material.
 100. A sole as claimed inclaim 98, the base portion being integral with the ground-engagingportion and comprising polymeric material integral with the polymericmaterial of the ground-engaging portion.
 101. A sole as claimed in claim98, the base portion comprising a pair of sidewall-engaging surfaces forengaging the sidewalls when the sole is mounted in the channel, thesidewall-engaging surfaces being generally parallel to one another. 102.A sole as claimed in claim 98, the sole comprising a plurality offasteners projecting from the base portion to mount the sole to theelongate member.
 103. A sole as claimed in claim 102, the base portioncomprising polymeric material, the sole comprising a frame member withinthe polymeric material of the base portion, the frame member supportingthe fasteners.
 104. A sole as claimed in claim 98, the sole comprising:an inner side for facing the elongate member; an outer side opposite theinner side for engaging the ground surface; and a plurality of blindholes extending from the inner side without reaching the outer side, thesole being mountable to the elongate member via a plurality of fastenersin the blind holes.
 105. A sole as claimed in claim 104, the fastenersbeing integrated with the sole.
 106. A sole as claimed in claim 98, thesidewalls having terminating edges, the sole having sidewall-engagingsurfaces that overlie the terminating edges when the sole is mounted tothe elongate member.
 107. A sole as claimed in claim 98, theground-engaging portion being wider than the base portion.